Smiles and Scowls: Citizens who dance, and those who cower

Music, food, families mark El Grito

SMILES to the annual El Grito festival that featured great food and lively music for thousands of Salinians who ventured to the Alisal to celebrate Mexico's "Cry of Independence" that launched its revolution more than 200 years ago. Mexican Honorary Consul Blanca Estela Zarazua was on hand to ring a replica of Father Miguel Hidalgo's church bell.

Salinas Rodeo saddles up for award

SMILES to the California Rodeo Salinas for being nominated as one of the top 20 rodeos in the United States. The Big Week organization was nominated by the Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association, comprised of cowboys, stock contractors and related members. Salinas was nominated in the Large Outdoor Rodeo category. Winners will be announced on Dec. 5 in Las Vegas.

Cowering citizens remain mum

SCOWLS to lack of witnesses to last Wednesday's killing on North Main Street in Salinas. A man walks up to another man, in broad daylight, and shoots him in the back of the head on a sidewalk while dozens of motorists cruise by at the height of the commute hour. Yet police are thin on witnesses to help with the investigation. People who can help bring about justice but choose not to are not members of a community, they are parasites attached to it.

Showing small business how it's done

SMILES to Salinas-based Alvarez Technology Group for being named to Inc. magazine's 5,000 fastest growing privately held companies in the United States two years running. The technology services firm has been increasing revenue at a clip of roughly 30 percent a year, and is continuing to add highly skilled jobs to its payroll. Alvarez is a classic example of knowing how to push through in tough times.

Volunteers blanket Central Coast

SMILES to the nearly 3,500 Save Our Shores volunteers from Monterey and Santa Cruz counties for giving up their Saturday to pick up trash off Central Coast beaches. Concerned about the human impact of garbage, these volunteers scoured beaches, lakes, creeks and sloughs to keep the trash from further damaging our environment.

Planet of the apes

SCOWLS to the nearly 17,000 pounds of trash picked out of our waterways by the same Save Our Shores volunteers. When you think about the number of people with no concept of personal responsibility it took to create that much discarded trash, it makes you question whether we belong at the top of the food chain.

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Smiles and Scowls: Citizens who dance, and those who cower

SMILES to the annual El Grito festival that featured great food and lively music for thousands of Salinians who ventured to the Alisal to celebrate Mexico's 'Cry of Independence' that launched its